“The LaGrange Symphony has made incredible progress in the last 10 years, reaching an enviable level of professional performances,” said Patricio Cobos, music director and conductor for the symphony. “The orchestra is ready to program important choral works from the standard repertoire such as Brahms’ ‘Requiem’, Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’, etc. The creation of a symphonic-level choir will make these performances possible.”
The new group will be led by Deborah Ogle, director of choral activities at the college.
“We would like to include some of the great opera choruses of Wagner, Bizet or Verdi,” Ogle said. “We’d also seek to perform major choral works of living composers.”
“A college ensemble will be the core of the chorus,” she said. “Our primary purpose is to provide opportunities for selected students to learn and perform masterworks of orchestral choral music. The chorus will enhance the academic program of the music department and provide academic course credit for student participants.”
David Garrison, vice president for academic affairs, said: “This opportunity for LaGrange College students to sing with the orchestra goes a long way to widen and deepen their understanding of choral music while also providing them with a wonderful forum in which to share their own developing talent with the community.”
Trained community and regional singers, selected by audition, will be able to perform with the chorus, Ogle said.
“They will rehearse together with the college singers once a week for two hours during the fall and spring semesters. The present plan is for the chorus to perform at least twice a year during the orchestra’s regular concert season.”
Annual auditions will be in early August for all singers. Audition requirements include a classical solo, aria or art song in any language; major, minor and chromatic scales; sight-reading, tonal memory and a short theory test. An accompanist will be provided for the auditions.
“The symphony will continue to maintain ties with area choral groups, including inviting them to perform in certain concerts,” said Cobos. “The LaGrange Symphony Chorus plans to perform in LaGrange only with the orchestra.”
“The LSO has a long history of partnering with various area community choruses and hopes to continue these associations.”
“Working together to make music is central to our mission. The LaGrange Symphony Chorus represents a new partnership that will enable us to present to our community important symphonic choral masterworks.”
— For more information, call Ogle at (706) 880-8188 or Ann Sellman at (706) 880-8351, e-mail dogle@ lagrange.edu or visit www.lagrangesymphony.org
Back in the eighties, the San Diego Symphony was brought back from the brink of almost imminent dissolvement by "mixing" classic composers with newer stuff, Like "Beatles and Beethoven" Or The Beach Boys meet Bach"
As for the London Symphony Orchestra, listen to Jethro Tulls "Locomotive Breath" through a set of Klipsh K-horns. The kettle drums'll crush a steel trash can. That arrangement put todays synthetic, predictable, bass-heavy Hiphop junk to shame.
"LSO! ROCKIN THE HOUSE! (might have to cut and paste it . . don't let the soft 'first 20 seconds fool ya)
http://www.maxalbums.com/mp3/Jethro Tull London Symphony Orchestra/Locomotive Breath/81KqSKDquty/